Post IM musings

Many of you know my Ironman Canada. This post is a little refection on something I've been thinking about since my race.

To those of you who have followed me along the way and have shared your thoughts, feelings and encouragement....I owe you a great deal. My success at IMC was in part because of you. Your words touched my soul.

I noticed something interesting after my race and often during my training when I posted the details of a particularly hard week, run or ride. I would always get pats on the back. I would always get words of thanks from people for providing inspiration. But I would also notice that often the posts contained phrasing that suggested that somehow I was special, not in the same category as the masses here at TE. This is odd to me. An athlete does what they have to do and it might seem unreal to some but it is nothing that deserves being placed in a category above. A mother that successfully raises a child is special, a doctor that saves lives.......not an athlete. What I achieved did not improve the status of my community, society or the earth.

I wanted to post this to remind you all that you are amazing. Yes, I finished IMC and yes I did it in a great time. But, there are those of you on TE that work long hours, raise kids, are dealing with ailing family members and some of you have your own serious illnesses. You are all in the race of life and you are doing what you can. You may not ever do Ironman but there are loads of you out there that are juggling lives that I could never manage. You are special.

I'm happy that I have inspired some of you. I hope that none of you ever think that I am above you. You are my peers and I'm thrilled to call many of you my friends.

With metta,

C.

Thanks for the thanks YOda. Interesting musings on your part. They are the same things that I say to my racing buddies when we/they are getting too caught up in the matter.

I usually try to remind myself and others around me, that the outcome of a particular race will not feed starving children, cure cancer or end the war.....step back, remember why we are racing.

Sometimes easy to say....very tough to do.

We are all amazing, these women( and a guy or too), this community, all of us.....

Ruth

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Originally Posted by Wahine

I wanted to post this to remind you all that you are amazing. Yes, I finished IMC and yes I did it in a great time. But, there are those of you on TE that work long hours, raise kids, are dealing with ailing family members and some of you have your own serious illnesses. You are all in the race of life and you are doing what you can. You may not ever do Ironman but there are loads of you out there that are juggling lives that I could never manage. You are special.

I'm happy that I have inspired some of you. I hope that none of you ever think that I am above you. You are my peers and I'm thrilled to call many of you my friends.

With metta,

C.

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Wahine - you may not be better than other TE'ers, but by these words, you are definitely very special in your own way. Thank you for being such a giving and caring person

spoke

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Originally Posted by spokewench

Wahine - you may not be better than other TE'ers, but by these words, you are definitely very special in your own way. Thank you for being such a giving and caring person

spoke

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Spoke, just what I was thinking.

Cassie - I will sometimes read a thread just because I see you're the last person that posted (there's a couple of others that I feel the same way about). Inside the amazing woman that you are, is a wise and mature soul. You have a spiritual balance that comes across in the advice you give and it's that more than anything that gives me, personally, strength and peace. It is a rare gift and something I strive for as I get older and I just want to thank you for sharing that with us.

Besides the unique aspect of being Iron, I think it's these qualities about you that draw people to you. It's the entire package girl, so I hope you're as proud of that about yourself as you are of your athletic accomplishments. :p

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Originally Posted by Wahine

What I achieved did not improve the status of my community, society or the earth.

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Yes, it did.

We are part of your community, society, earth. We got the thrill and excitement of "one of us" doing IMC. A few of us are thinking, "hey, maybe it would be fun to do a sprint tri, hey, maybe a BUNCH of us could do it TOGETHER."

And look, the community is thereby strengthened. (literally and metaphorically)

A person's actions seem to always be farther reaching than they expect.

Yeah, maybe it was "just" a race, but: You done good, Yoda!

Yeah, what knotted said!!:D

And you are right. Sometimes we get caught up in things so much that we don't look at the big picture. And no, triathlon is not going to solve the worlds problems.
My ten year old is good at bringing me back to reality. He'll say "Mom. Calm down. It's just......(insert issue here).... It's not going to end/change the world...

And yeah, he's usually right.

BUT- you are special! I've never met you in person, but from your posts I can say that I know your a kind, caring, insightful person.
And seeing your performance in Cananda gave me hope. Hope that with some good training and mental toughness maybe I could pull out a somewhat decent time next year.

We are very lucky here on TE, we have a unique and special "family" here. I hope it always stays that way!
Love to all
Denise

Wahine - you made me cry this morning! Thank you! :o

Knott said it very well, but, well, I like getting my two cents in, too.

You know how this works. We all have our turns in the spotlight of sorts. Please take our praise in the manner in which it was intended: to encourage and support. :)

We know that you'll be there (as you have already many times) to pass it along in encouragement and support.

Iron is not something to take lightly. Nor are any of the other life things you mentioned. You're right. We All Rock!

Thanks for pointing that out!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Yep, everyone has said it well, but I just add my "Amen" to it.

You are right...everyone has a special life, a special gift...is a special creation.

And, what the others said about your maturity and balance is a big part of what makes you special. Maybe not "above." But, a leader in some ways.

I agree with Knot. Not only did your IM journey impact this community, I believe for sure that by inspiring others, you have dropped a stone in the waters that will ripple to shores unknown to you.

Every time I achieve another athletic milepost, I am empowered in all the rest of my life to take more chances and act with more integrity and intention. So, with your maturity and your presence and your achievement, who knows how your inspiration will impact a life, a community, a world?

This is not just feel-good BS to me...I believe it.

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Originally Posted by Wahine

You are special.

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You are, we are, this board is. I think just being part of a community that is so supportive and encouraging makes each of us very special to one another in many ways.

I'm glad we have this forum to be there for each other. :)

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Originally Posted by Wahine

What I achieved did not improve the status of my community, society or the earth.

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I was thinking about this as I went to sleep last night/early this morning. I had been up 24 hours and had two glasses of wine (and benedryl) to fall asleep quickly but your post was running through my impaired head.

When I first came to TE I was a returning cyclist. I had problems and issues and this forum provided great support. By reading about everyone else's ventures, I started running again after a HUGE hiatus. I got orthotics (as an ex-runner I have a ton of old injuries) and started slowly.

I had a great awe of triathletes. They always seemed SUCH a different breed and they intimidated me. What I learned was that these are real people with goals; most aren't mythical creatures who automatically do things like IM with ease. I am now signed up for TWO tri's, albeit small ones.

What I learned about you, Wahine, is you are someone who takes your goals seriously. You also are a professional at work and greatly respect your marriage and friends. Anyone reading these forums can see that.

So while you think YOU might not have improved the status of your community, etc., what about the other people who you've impacted? Maybe there was a younger female watching you race or maybe there is somebody here who has become empowered to step outside of their boundaries. By doing that, it also affects other parts of their life. My logic is horrible I know but once someone realizes "hey, I can do this" I think they then are willing to take risks like returning to school or expanding other parts of their lives. Everyone has a role or a gift in life and maybe yours is to inspire others? I think SO many other parts of life require patience, dedication, and work. The IM is just a concrete example of it.

Thank you everyone. I had not looked back at this thread until today. I hear what your saying and I believe it. I am glad I have helped others here. I just don't want anyone to every feel like they could not achieve something of equivialnt or greater importance if one put their mind to it. There is amazing strength here on this board.

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Originally Posted by Starfish

I agree with Knot. Not only did your IM journey impact this community, I believe for sure that by inspiring others, you have dropped a stone in the waters that will ripple to shores unknown to you.

Every time I achieve another athletic milepost, I am empowered in all the rest of my life to take more chances and act with more integrity and intention. So, with your maturity and your presence and your achievement, who knows how your inspiration will impact a life, a community, a world?

This is not just feel-good BS to me...I believe it.

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So true!

Starfish, a ripple from your Shasta century came to my shores. :)

I've been training since February for Cycle Oregon, returning to cycling after a 15 year break. When I came across the TE forums, it was during a week when I was sick, discouraged, and worrying... I read your account of your Shasta century & I felt so uplifted & inspired by reading the story of your ride. In particular, you wrote about having multiple goals... which was just the reminder that I needed. It helped me to remember my reasons for wanting to do this ride, and the way that I want to do this ride... with open eyes and an open heart. And that's completely within my control. Doing all the miles is a tier 2 goal... I hope to, but I don't have to.

This is a wonderful community, and I'm grateful to all of you who have made it what it is.

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Originally Posted by blueskies

It helped me to remember my reasons for wanting to do this ride, and the way that I want to do this ride... with open eyes and an open heart.

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Let us know how it goes! :)

As a beginner, what I appreciate the most is that you more experienced riders (Wahine, etc) take the time to encourage the newbies.

I posted earlier this season about doing a sprint triathlon, and I was SOOO appreciative that you guys were willing to take the time to answer my questions. Then when I posted my results, you treated me just like I had finished an Ironman.

So, that is what makes you guys so special in my book!

And, Wahine, I am one of those that didn't leave my computer all day while I watched you compete in the Ironman Canada. I thought you were absolutely incredible and very, very inspiring!

Lynette

P.S. And now I am doing my very first century ride on Sunday. Yea, me!

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Originally Posted by Over50Newbie

P.S. And now I am doing my very first century ride on Sunday. Yea, me!

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:D :D :D :D :D

Blueskies, Good luck with cycle Oregon. That's a big deal!!

not too long ago there was a thread about avatars and identifying a person that way. I always pictured Wahine as a Hawaiian :o :eek:

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Originally Posted by zencentury

not too long ago there was a thread about avatars and identifying a person that way. I always pictured Wahine as a Hawaiian :o :eek:

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It's OK Zen, I'm Hawaiian on the inside.

Starfish & Wahine,

Thanks for the encouraging words... I am really happy this week, doing some nice easy spins, and packing up my things. :)

Blueskies